Many wineries regularly offer wines made from special grape varietals in limited quantities and only at certain times of the year. This is often a bummer because it always seems that once you get around to tasting a really good selection and then make the decision to buy more, the wine is nowhere to be found.
Take Viader Tempranillo, a prime example of the “buy now, taste later” quandary that we all experience from time to time. Recently, Viader ran a special Tempranillo offer for the people on their mailing list featuring the 2013 release as “the final vintage of our beloved DARE by Viader Tempranillo”, with only 8 barrels produced.
It will sell quickly, and before you can say, “so sad, all gone”, there may be a shot here to enjoy the end of a great run. Therefore, a word of advice regarding these specials, forget the “decide later” issue and get a chance at it before the well runs dry. Taste when it arrives, and If you like, order more, for they will soon be history.
So what was the appeal with the 2013 vintage? It is totally “Spanish”, showing off the full potential of this varietal when properly grown and produced here in the States. With a deep bouquet of dark cherries and aromatic spice as with previous vintages, the similarities to a top-notch Spanish Rioja are still exhibited right up front. But it also sports that added vanilla and violet nuance that typifies Napa.
Add in a totally mouth-filling depth that compliments cheese casseroles or paella more closely than so many wines, you have a very versatile pairing choice that can be racked up for special events, right along with your favorite Riojas. Very well done!
At a cost of $45, this email offer turned out to be an excellent value. Entering a larger order would have been in much better judgment, live and learn. As for an encore in some future year, who knows.
According to Viader, this is really the last online offer for the “Dare Tempranillo”. So if you like wines with a Spanish flair, snap it up, pronto. FYI- They will ship to Arizona with minimal hassle!
